- Gasoline-Loaded Vessel Held 14 Nautical Miles Off Penang.
- Crew Reportedly Uncooperative During Inspection.
- Investigation Launched Over Anchoring Violations and Obstruction.
Malaysian authorities took action on the night of October 7, detaining a Panama-registered tanker that was found anchoring without permission about 14.3 nautical miles off the coast of Penang, reports Safety4Sea.
Cargo and Crew Details
The tanker, which was loaded with gasoline, had a crew of 20 Chinese nationals on board, as reported by Captain Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli, the director of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Penang.
Inspection Reveals Violations
During their inspection, officials discovered that the vessel had failed to secure the necessary permission from the Director of the Malaysian Marine Department to anchor in that area.
Crew Uncooperative During Inspection
Captain Ramli mentioned that the captain of the vessel and some crew members were not cooperative, allegedly preventing officials from returning to their patrol boat after they boarded.
Investigation Underway
An investigation is currently in progress regarding the unauthorised anchoring and the obstruction of official duties.
